Good Morning Gentle Readers,
We're taking down the Christmas tree today, but rather than a mere consignment to Monday morning's trash collection, we do something special.
My kids will strip the tree limbs with a hatchet and a pair of loppers. If you try this at home, I recommend long sleeves and good gloves. Then we'll mulch the limbs and needles and give the garden a treat. Afterwards, the trunk is cut into fireplace-sized lengths for next Christmas.
Next year, after the coffee is made, but before anyone gets a peek at what Santa left or the gifts are unwrapped, a Christmas morning fire is built. In the tradition of the Yule Log, we start the Christmas morning fire using the Christmas tree from the year before.
But.....we do one other thing. I choose a straight piece of the trunk and cut a series of rounds with my table saw. Each round is about 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick. Each is labeled with the vintage. Later a small hole can be drilled, through which a piece of yarn, ribbon, or an ornament hanger can be attached. Voila! A Christmas ornament. I cut enough extra to allow for breakage or loss and, eventually, when the kids have families of their own, there will be a tangible piece of Christmas past for them to share.
Happy New Year,
TWC
Photo Credit (unless otherwise noted): ©TWC, all rights reserved
